Author: webedit

Updated Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO. – The following are updated statistics from Valley View:

Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats – 5/13/21
Specimens collected thru Valley View: 26,585
Positive results: 2,124
Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outbreak began: 257
Admitted patients discharged: 231

Definitions:

Specimens collected: These are specimens collected by Valley View providers that are tested by Valley View’s laboratory in Glenwood Springs or sent to an outside laboratory to conduct COVID-19 testing. This is a cumulative number.

Positive results: These are the number of positive COVID-19 results returned from the Valley View specimens tested. This definition is updated on April 21 to clarify that the positive results represent positive patients. This is a cumulative number.

Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outreach began: Patients with a positive COVID-19 test who have been hospitalized at Valley View. This is a cumulative number.

Admitted patients discharged: Of admitted patients with a positive COVID-19 test, number who have been discharged from Valley View Hospital. Patients may be discharged to recover at home, to hospice or to psychiatric care. This is a cumulative number.  

Additional questions:

“From whom is Valley View collecting specimens?” Valley View is testing:

  • Patients who are symptomatic and have been referred by their primary care provider.
  • Patients undergoing medically necessary surgery.
  • Patients undergoing designated procedures that are high risk for aerosol generation.
  • Patients with a referral from their primary care provider for a test needed for work or travel.

“What kind of PCR test does Valley View offer?” Currently, Valley View has a nasopharyngeal PCR test. For the nasopharyngeal swab, a special swab of the nose occurs, it is then placed in a tube and sent for testing. 

“What is the difference between the number of patients admitted and number of patients discharged?” The difference between the number of patients and admitted patients discharged represents current hospitalized patients, patients transferred to other hospitals or those who have passed away. For example, if there are 21 patients admitted and 16 discharged, the difference is five. This is a cumulative number representing the entirety of Valley View’s efforts caring for COVID-19 patients. Therefore five total patients are hospitalized, have been transferred to a hospital as they need a higher level of care or, unfortunately, have passed away. Valley View will not offer additional details so as to protect their privacy.

“What is the turnaround for test results?”  At this point, Valley View is receiving test results same-day to 48 hours. The variability in time is due to the type of test ordered by the provider. For example, an individual experiencing a medical emergency may require a rapid test.

“The number of positive tests is not the same as admitted patients. Why?” Not all positive patients require hospitalization. For patients with mild symptoms, his/her doctor may recommend that they recover at home with specific instructions (e.g. isolation, monitor symptoms). Other positive patients may be very ill and need hospitalization.

“What is the status of these individual hospitalized patients?” Per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Valley View will not speak to the specific status of an individual patient.

Updated Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats

CDPHE: Providers can administer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Coloradans age 12+

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Providers in Colorado who are administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can now vaccinate any Coloradan age 12 and up who wants the vaccine. 

Minors under the age of 18 who wish to receive a COVID-19 vaccine need parental consent. Parents do not need to be present for the vaccination as long as consent is documented, but they should check with the vaccine provider to confirm. The state’s vaccine provider map includes information on which vaccine each location is administering. All of the state’s Community Vaccination Sites offer the Pfizer vaccine, and most do not require an appointment.

“We are excited to hear that we are able to offer this safe and effective vaccine to nearly 300,000 additional Coloradans between the ages of 12 and 15,” said Dr. Alexis Burakoff, a medical epidemiologist at CDPHE. “As more older Coloradans have accessed the vaccine, we are seeing higher rates of cases in teenagers and children. We know there is a clear correlation between high vaccination rates and low infection rates, and this vaccine can now provide relief for thousands of additional families across the state.”

Schools, childcare, and higher education account for the highest proportion of newly reported outbreaks currently.

The state will adjust the COVID-19 data dashboard to include all Coloradans ages 12 and up in the vaccine-eligible population when the website updates at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 13. This will add 299,206 Coloradans to the statewide and county populations used to determine county-level vaccination rates on the vaccine data dashboard, so vaccination rates will appear to temporarily decline. 

On Monday, the FDA announced an amendment to the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to include children ages 12-15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met today and approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in this younger population. In a clinical trial, the Pfizer vaccine was shown to be safe and effective among people ages 12-15. The trial included 2,260 children ages 12-15 years old in the U.S. There were 18 cases of COVID-19 in the placebo (unvaccinated) group and none in the vaccinated group. The vaccine showed 100% efficacy in this trial.

There were no severe adverse events clearly associated with the vaccine in the trial. Side effects of the vaccine in this age group were similar to those seen among young adults (e.g., temporary sore arm, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches). CDC and FDA will continue monitoring for safety. 

The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines continue to be available only to adults 18 years of age and older.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

CDPHE: Providers can administer Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Coloradans age 12+

Valley View: Pfizer vaccine appointments for 12- to 15-year-olds Thursday, May 13

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO. – Valley View is proud to quickly respond and serve our community with a new COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow, May 13, 2021, just for adolescents age 12 to 15 years old. Each minor must be accompanied by an adult.

Today, the Centers for Disease Control’s independent advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), made its official recommendation that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine be used for adolescents age 12 to 15. Per the Colorado Department of Public Health’s this is the final step required for vaccine administrators, such as Valley View, to begin administering the Pfizer COVID-19 to this new group. The CDC’s recommendation from medical and public health experts follows the Food and Drug Administration’s (CDA) authorization on Monday.

“We applaud these decisions by the FDA and CDC. Once again, the team at Valley View is leading the community in administering vaccines. Staff, doctors and nurses from across our organization continue to rally to perform this service to benefit our community. I am so grateful for their work and commitment,” said Josh Anderson, Valley View Incident Commander.

Valley View has been closely following all of these reviews and decisions so as to be prepared to offer a clinic for the new group, when approved. As with its previous vaccine clinics hosted at Valley View Hospital, the vaccines will be administered at no charge.

“We can now move forward with protecting a new group of people from COVID-19. While COVID-19 has not been as prevalent in 12- to 15-year-olds, it is still important that we protect these amazing members of our community,” said David Brooks, MD, Valley View Chief Medical Officer and pediatrician with Pediatric Partners. “In addition, by protecting this group with a vaccine, we further interrupt the transmission of the virus in our community overall. This is key for the overall health of our community and continuing to resume work, school and all of the activities that we love,” Brooks added.

Details for the vaccine clinic tomorrow are as follows:

WHO: Coloradans age 12 to 15 years old ONLY
Minors must be accompanied by an adult (over the age of 18) to their appointment. Consent from a parent or guardian is required.
WHAT: 1st dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
WHEN: Thursday, May 13, 3:00 to 4:30pm
WHERE: Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs

To schedule go to https://www.vvh.org/covid-19-updates/covid-19-vaccine

The second dose will be Thursday, June 3, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. Minors and an adult must be able to make your second dose appointment as Valley View unfortunately cannot accommodate alternative scheduling. 

Minors need consent from a parent or legal guardian. Valley View requires a parent/legal guardian accompany the minor to his/her appointment or send a note authorizing the vaccine.

Additional vaccine clinics specific to 12- to 15-year-olds will be hosted at Valley View Hospital. Those clinics will be announced at www.vvh.org and on the Valley View Facebook page.

Valley View: Pfizer vaccine appointments for 12- to 15-year-olds Thursday, May 13

Governor Polis provides update on COVID-19 pandemic

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DENVER – Today, Governor Jared Polis provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination efforts in Colorado. 

“It’s easier than ever before to get the life-saving vaccine, Colorado. You can stop by your closest drive-thru or walk-up clinic, pharmacy or at the community center down the road. It’s easy, it’s free, and most importantly, this vaccine is highly effective at protecting your health and the health of the people you love most,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We all have an important role to play in revving up Colorado’s economy and getting back to normal. To make that possible, it’s important that Coloradans take the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get this vaccine. It’s free and convenient.” 

Colorado has made tremendous progress in protecting the state’s most vulnerable populations from this virus. Currently, 76% of Coloradans aged 70 and up are fully vaccinated, while over 85% of Coloradans in that age group have received at least one dose of the vaccine. For Coloradans aged 60 to 69, over 63% of this population is fully vaccinated. These two sectors have represented the majority of Colorado’s COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths throughout this pandemic. 

Colorado is committed to ensuring that everyone who wants the vaccine can easily get one at no cost. To do that, the state has deployed a variety of tactics to meet Coloradans where they are, including six Community Vaccinations Sites in Adams, Denver, El Paso, Larimer, Mesa, and Pueblo counties. Colorado has also formed the Vaccine Equity Outreach Team to bring the vaccine to disproportionately impacted Coloradans through regional clinics that serve hard-to-reach populations. Through the Vaccine Equity Outreach Team, Colorado has stood up approximately 1,250 first and second-dose clinics, including mobile vaccine clinics in over 30 counties. Multiple mobile vaccine buses running throughout the state have delivered over 5,800 doses. In total, the mobile vaccine busses combined with other equity-based clinics have administered over 350,000 doses to underserved Coloradans. 

More than 80 stops along these five mobile vaccination routes are scheduled through the end of May, with plans to continue adding stops based on community needs. To find a mobile vaccine bus near you, visit mobilevax.us/clinics. 

Colorado is also working closely with a variety of health providers across the state to make it easy for Coloradans to get the COVID vaccine at their next doctor’s appointment. Coloradans can find the closest vaccine provider near them by visiting cocovidvaccine.org or dialing 1-877-CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

Employers, schools, and other organizations can also arrange to have a vaccine clinic set up at a worksite to vaccinate employees, students, and other members through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Employers interested in coordinating a vaccine clinic for free with the state can go to: atworkvaccinations.com to schedule a clinic. 

Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist, also joined Governor Polis to share an update on Colorado’s plans to deliver the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 12 to 15 following the FDA approval. 

“Youth are currently accounting for more new cases in the state as many older Coloradans have already taken the opportunity to receive the vaccine. In fact, the highest case rates are among middle school and high school students in the state,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, State Epidemiologist. “Access to the vaccine will help protect younger Coloradans as they go to school and return to a more normal life.”

Colorado expects to start administering the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds as soon as this week once the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices gives the final approval needed to administer the vaccine to this age group. ACIP is scheduled to meet May 12 to make a final decision. 

View today’s press conference here.

Governor Polis provides update on COVID-19 pandemic

CDPHE: State adds 2,360 additional sequence-confirmed variants to COVID-19 data dashboard

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These confirmed variant cases do not represent new cases

May 11, 2021 – Today, the state completed processing large batches of sequencing results, adding a total of 2,360 additional variants of concern and variants under investigation to the data dashboard as part of an update spanning several days.

Variants of concern do not represent a new case of COVID-19 in the state, as sequencing is conducted only on positive tests that have already been accounted for in the state’s case totals. Variant cases now make up more than half of all new cases in the state. If you contract COVID today, it is more likely than not that you were exposed to and have contracted a variant strain.

Getting vaccinated provides the greatest protection against COVID-19 and variants. Colorado county-level data shows a clear correlation between high vaccination rates and low infection rates. We’re starting to see population-level protection from these vaccines resulting in decreased transmission, but we still have a ways to go.

CDPHE is consistently working to update sequencing information and other data in our databases as close to real time as possible. Large-scale population-based sequencing allows us to understand the proportions of variants circulating within our population. 

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

CDPHE: State adds 2,360 additional sequence-confirmed variants to COVID-19 data dashboard

Updated Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats

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GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO. – The following are updated statistics from Valley View:

Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats 5/11/21
Specimens collected thru Valley View: 26,448
Positive results: 2,115
Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outbreak began: 257
Admitted patients discharged: 230

Definitions:

Specimens collected: These are specimens collected by Valley View providers that are tested by Valley View’s laboratory in Glenwood Springs or sent to an outside laboratory to conduct COVID-19 testing. This is a cumulative number.

Positive results: These are the number of positive COVID-19 results returned from the Valley View specimens tested. This definition is updated on April 21 to clarify that the positive results represent positive patients. This is a cumulative number.

Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outreach began: Patients with a positive COVID-19 test who have been hospitalized at Valley View. This is a cumulative number.

Admitted patients discharged: Of admitted patients with a positive COVID-19 test, number who have been discharged from Valley View Hospital. Patients may be discharged to recover at home, to hospice or to psychiatric care. This is a cumulative number.  

Additional questions:

“From whom is Valley View collecting specimens?” Valley View is testing:

  • Patients who are symptomatic and have been referred by their primary care provider.
  • Patients undergoing medically necessary surgery.
  • Patients undergoing designated procedures that are high risk for aerosol generation.
  • Patients with a referral from their primary care provider for a test needed for work or travel.

“What kind of PCR test does Valley View offer?” Currently, Valley View has a nasopharyngeal PCR test. For the nasopharyngeal swab, a special swab of the nose occurs, it is then placed in a tube and sent for testing. 

“What is the difference between the number of patients admitted and number of patients discharged?” The difference between the number of patients and admitted patients discharged represents current hospitalized patients, patients transferred to other hospitals or those who have passed away. For example, if there are 21 patients admitted and 16 discharged, the difference is five. This is a cumulative number representing the entirety of Valley View’s efforts caring for COVID-19 patients. Therefore five total patients are hospitalized, have been transferred to a hospital as they need a higher level of care or, unfortunately, have passed away. Valley View will not offer additional details so as to protect their privacy.

“What is the turnaround for test results?”  At this point, Valley View is receiving test results same-day to 48 hours. The variability in time is due to the type of test ordered by the provider. For example, an individual experiencing a medical emergency may require a rapid test.

“The number of positive tests is not the same as admitted patients. Why?” Not all positive patients require hospitalization. For patients with mild symptoms, his/her doctor may recommend that they recover at home with specific instructions (e.g. isolation, monitor symptoms). Other positive patients may be very ill and need hospitalization.

“What is the status of these individual hospitalized patients?” Per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Valley View will not speak to the specific status of an individual patient.

Updated Valley View COVID-19 cumulative stats

Garfield County Public Health: La Vacuna es Para Nosotros, The Vaccine is for Us project launch

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GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County Public Health has launched a month-long campaign to humanize the COVID-19 illness, the process of getting vaccinated, and the protection the vaccine offers for being able to live and work safely again.

La Vacuna es Para Nosotros / The Vaccine is for Us is a storytelling project consisting of 14 photo stories and a short two-minute video, available at garfield-county.com/public-health/vacunate.

Funded through a National Geographic Rapid Response grant, the project was compiled for public health by longtime valley local Sylvia Johnson. Johnson, is a filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer, whose work takes her around the globe.

“I decided to take on this project because of my own observations working as a contact tracer with Garfield County Public Health during the COVID pandemic,” said Johnson. “I heard the stories and talked to the people most impacted by this disease. We hope that people can see themselves and hear their own concerns reflected in the images and words that have been shared. In the end, I hope that this project helps inspire people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their community.”

Shot as portraits in the environment, the photo stories include families, restaurant workers, business owners, farm workers, law officers, housekeepers, medical interpreters, and students who each share what their experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has been like, and what motivated them to want to get vaccinated. The photo stories are available in Spanish and English.

“These messages and stories are for everyone,” said Johnson. “However, we especially want to build trust among our Latinx immigrant community for the vaccine’s effectiveness. The goal is to have widespread immunity through vaccination and stop this pandemic.”

Promotion of the storytelling project will run through the end of May and consists of a social media campaign and a traveling public art display showcasing the stories. A list of vaccine clinics and providers is in Espanol or English on the Garfield County website.

COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

05.11.21

La Vacuna es Para Nosotros, The Vaccine is for Us lanzamiento del projecto

CONDADO DE GARFIELD, CO – El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Garfield ha lanzado una campaña para humanizar las consecuencias de la enfermedad COVID-19, el proceso de vacunación y la protección que ofrece la vacuna para poder volver a vivir y trabajar de manera segura.

La Vacuna es Para Nosotros/The Vaccine is for Us es un proyecto de narración que consiste de 14 historias fotográficas y un video de dos minutos que se puede encontrar en garfield-county.com/public-health/vacunate.

Financiado a través de una donación del National Geographic Rapid Response, el proyecto fue compilado para la salud pública por Sylvia Johnson, una veterana local del valle. Johnson, es una cineasta y exploradora de National Geographic cuyo trabajo la lleva por todo el mundo.

“Decidí hacer este proyecto debido a mis propias observaciones trabajando con Salud Pública del Condado de Garfield como un rastreador de durante la pandemia de COVID”, dijo Johnson. “Escuché las historias y hablé con las personas más afectadas por esta enfermedad. Esperamos que las personas puedan verse a sí mismas y escuchar sus propias preocupaciones reflejadas en las imágenes y palabras que se han compartido. Al final, espero que este proyecto ayude a inspirar a las personas a vacunarse para protegerse a sí mismas y a su comunidad.”

Tomadas como retratos ambientales, las historias fotográficas incluyen familias, trabajadores de restaurantes, dueños de negocios, trabajadores agrícolas, oficiales de la ley, trabajadores de limpieza, intérpretes médicos y estudiantes, quienes comparten cómo ha sido su experiencia con la pandemia de Covid-19 y qué los motivó a querer vacunarse. Las historias fotográficas están disponibles en español e inglés.

“Estos mensajes e historias son para todos. Sin embargo, queremos especialmente generar confianza entre nuestra comunidad de inmigrantes latinx. El objetivo es tener una inmunidad generalizada mediante la vacunación y detener esta pandemia.”

La campaña planea extenderse hasta fines de Mayo y consistirá en una campaña en las redes sociales y una exhibición de arte público que muestre las historias. Puede encontrar una lista de clínicas y proveedores de vacunas en Ingles o Español en la página web de COVID del Condado de Garfield.

Garfield County Public Health: La Vacuna es Para Nosotros, The Vaccine is for Us project launch

Updated Grand River Health COVID-19 cumulative stats for May 11, 2021

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RIFLE, COLO. – The following are updated statistics from Grand River Health:

Grand River Health COVID-19 cumulative stats – 5/11/2021:

Number of individuals tested: 8,074
Positive results: 1,258
Pending results: 17
New positives since 5/6/21: 1
Patients admitted with COVID-19 since outbreak began: 50
Patients transferred: 12
Patients discharged: 37

Reported numbers are from Grand River Health only and could change at any time.

Vaccine Update: When vaccine is available, GRH is vaccinating the general public ages 16+. To know when COVID 19 vaccines become available, please watch the Grand River Health Facebook page and sign up for email alerts on the Grand River Health website at www.grandriverhealth.org. There are no walk ins at this time. All vaccinations will be done by appointment only. We appreciate the community’s patience.

All clinic services, hospital and specialty services are open. All patients will be screened appropriately and patients with current symptoms will be scheduled for appointments in the respiratory clinic. 

All appointments can be made by calling 625-1100. Patients are asked to wear an ear loop mask while in the facility (no gators, bandanas or buffs please).

Updated Grand River Health COVID-19 cumulative stats for May 11, 2021